Foot-plate attachment for spades or the like



Feb. 14, 1928. 1,658,963

0. F. BERGQUIST FOOT PLATE ATTACHMENT FOR SPADES OR THE LIKE Filed Oct.6. 1925 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES OSCAR F. IBERGQUIST, OF FORSYTH, MICHIGAN.

FOOT-PLATE ATTACHMENT FOR SPAIDES OR THE LIKE.

Application filed October The present invention relates to a footplatefor use in connection with spades, shovels, pitchforks, and the like,and aims to provide a novel and improved device of this character whichcan be conveniently associated with a tool of the above indicatedcharacter for presenting a relatlvely large surface for engagement withthe foot so asto eliminate the breaking of the arch of a shoe and theinjuring of a foot caused by engagement with the thin edge of a spade orthe like.

A further object of the inventlon is the provision of a footplate havingmeans for permitting the foot engaging surface there of to be swung atvarious angles so as to be in engagement with a relatively large surfaceof the shoe of the user, independent of the angle the pressure isapplied from, thus causing the efficient operation of the tool at alltimes.

It is also an object of the invent on to provide a device of the aboveindlcated character, which is simple and substantial in construction,which can be manufactured economically, and which will be thoroughlyefiicient and practical in use.

With the foregoing and other ob ects in view, which will be apparent asthe description proceeds, the invention resides 1n the construction andarrangement of parts as hereinafter described and claimed, it beingunderstood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed,wlthout departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front eleyatlon of a spade showing my improved devlceapphed thereto,

Figure 2 is a fra entary edge new of a spade, showing the evice thereon,and

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Figure 1, showing thedevice removed from the spade.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 dcsi ates a spade having ahandle 6 and eartfi engaging blade 7. Most s ades are slightlyreinforced at the upper e ge of the blade, as at 8, for slightlyincreasing the width of the blade at its upper edge where the foot ofthe user is placed for forcing the blade of the spade into the soil. Inorder to increase the surface at the upper edge of the blade 7, I haveprovided my improved footplate;

In carrying out my invention, the numeral 6, 1925. Serial No. 60,811.

10 indicates an inverted U-shaped bracket, the opposite depending legs11 and 12 thereof being arran ed for enga ing opposite sides of the blae 7 of the spa e at the upper portion thereof adjacent the reinforcement8. The legs 11 and 12 conform to the general configuration of the bladeof the spade and each is provided with an opening 13 through which arivet or bolt 14 is passed which also extends through an openingprovided in the blade 7 for securing the bracket to the blade. The legs11 and 12 are formed so as to engage each other adjacent the bightportion of the inverted U-shaped bracket, as at 15, and are riveted orsecured together in any well known manner, as shown by the numeral 16.The bight portion of the U-- shaped member is arranged in circularformation in cross section as shown at 17 for receiving therein a bolt18.

Arranged above the bight portion of the inverted U-shaped bracket 10 isa slightly arcuate plate 19 which has the upper surface thereofroughened or serrated, as at 20, for eliminating to a great extent thedanger of the foot of a user from sliding thereofi'. Secured to theunder surface of the late 19 by means of rivets 21 is a pair 0 angledmembers 22, which have one angled portion thereof depending therefrom soas to engage the opposite side edges of the circular portion 17 of theinverted U-shaped bracket. The depending portions of the angled members22 have openings therein through which the opposite ends of the bolt 18extend so as to pivotally connect the plate 19 to the bracket 10. Thebolt 18 has a head on one end thereof and a nut on the op osite endthereof so as to cause a slight bindin action on the opposite edges ofthe brac et for yieldably holding the plate against easy swingingmovement with relation to the bracket.

With my improved footplate attached to a spade or the like by means ofthe rivet 14, the user may apply pressure on the blade of the spade fromany angle, the pivotal connection of the foot engaging plate with thespade permitting the pressure to be applied from all downward angles. Itcan thus be seen that a relatively large surface is always in engagementwith the shoe of the user, thus eliminating danger of the user in'uringhis foot by excessive pressure or the making of the arch of his shoe, asoften occurs while using spades without my improved teal attachment. Asthe upper surface of the plate 19 is roughened and slightly arcuate, thedanger of the foot of the user slipping thereoff is also eliminated, soas to provide an attachment for spades or the like which will bethoroughly efiicient for the purpose intended. By removing the bolt 14:the attachment may be readily disconnected from the spade and attachedto another tool it so desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A foot engaging member in combination with a tool comprising abracket, a foot engaging plate, a pair of angled members secured to saidplate and arranged at each side of said bracket, and a bolt extendingthrough said angled members and through said bracket for pivotallyconnecting said plate to said bracket.

2. A foot engaging member in combination with a tool comprising aninverted U- shaped bracket adapted to engage over the soil Workingelement of the tool, said bracket having a cylindrical opening formed inthe upper portion thereof, a foot engaging plate, angled members securedto said plate and depending therefrom, and a bolt extending through saidangled members and through the cylindrical opening in said bracket forpivotally connecting said plate to said bracket.

3. A foot engaging member in combination with a tool comprising aninverted U- shaped bracket, the opposite legs of said U-shaped bracketbeing adapted to engage the opposite sides of the soil Working ele mentof the tool, means for securing said opposite legs of said bracket tothe tool, said U-shaped bracket being formed so that the opposite legportions thereof engage each other adjacent the upper portion of thebracket, means for securing said engaging portions of said legstogether, said U-shaped bracket having a cylindrical opening formedtherein above the engaging portions of the legs, a foot engaging plate,a pair of angle-d members each having one side thereoi secured to saidplate While the other sides of said angled members extend downwardly oneach side of said bracket at said cylindrical opening, and a boltextended through said cylindrical opening of said bracket and throughthe depending sides of said angled members for pivotally connecting saidplate to said bracket.

In testimony whereof, it have afixed my signature.

USCAR l5. BERGQUIST.

